The meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi marks a significant upgrade in the ‘India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership’. The implications span defence co-development, technology exchange, and a shared vision to counter regional dominance. It may be noted that well before the Strait of Hormuz meltdown, India under Modi’s leadership has been working on establishing a diversified strategic structure focused on national interests, regardless of respective nations’ place in the international order. As such, if Seychelles is the centre of attention, one day, it is Japan, the next, and New Zealand, next week. Each nation has something to contribute in its own way.
With regard to Japan, there are significant strategic and defence implications. As has been reported, the two nations have signed their first defence co-development project focusing on naval radio antennas, paving the way for joint military exercises and expanded Maritime Domain Awareness. Both leaders have reinforced their commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, agreeing to cooperate towards an early next Quad Leaders’ Summit. The partnership serves as a democratic counterweight to aggressive regional dominance by ensuring free navigation and protecting maritime chokepoints.
The leaders have also adopted landmark agreements in artificial intelligence, with Modi noting that Japan’s precision engineering combined with India’s software capabilities will accelerate global AI development. Accompanied by a large business delegation, Prime Minister Takaichi’s summit builds on commitments to target 10 trillion yen (over $61 billion) of private investment in India, facilitating secure, resilient supply chains away from single-source dependencies. The nations aligned on strategic stockpiling of crude oil and technical collaboration to ensure energy security, with Japan supporting India’s membership in the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The joint statement officially condemned UN-listed terrorist networks, with specific naming of Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism against India. This is significant in that it adopts a realistic approach to the problem rather than allowing ideological make-believe obfuscate the danger.
There will also have been discussions specifically on dealing with China, which remains a threat to both nations. That nation’s aggressive approach regarding Taiwan and the Philippines, as well as the continuing effort to dominate the seas, is a constant red flag for Japan.
India and Japan will also learn from each other on dealing with population issues, public welfare, and caring for the elderly. India is increasingly a favourable investment destination, building on decades of mutually beneficial business deals. The latest is the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s fourth plant at Kharkhoda, which is to be among the largest in the world. The potential for growth is tremendous, and it seems, both, India and Japan have decided to build upon it with greater vigour.
